Pump jack



Feb. 17, 1942. v E BAUM v 2,273,342

PUMP JACK r v Filed June 27, 1958 3 Sheets-Sht l Feb. 17, 1942.` v, EBAUM 2,273,342

PUMP JACK Filed Juri@ 27, 19.38 3 sheets-sheet 3 Patented Feb. 17, 1942UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PUMP JACK Victor E. Baum, Tulsa, Okla.

Application .lune 27, 1938, Serial No. 215,973

14 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in pump jacks.

This application is led as a continuation-inpart of my copendingapplication filed August 29,

1936i, Serial NO. 98,593.

head has the usual connecting elements sus-` pended therefrom; withmeans for adjusting the head vertically with relation to the kpump rods,which adjustment compensates for irregularities or imperfections in thebeam, whereby a true vertical lift of the pump rods is produced.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved pump jackwherein the beam is connected to the pump rods by a pair of flexibleelements which are individually and adjustably fastened to the bearn,whereby variations in the elements, due to stretching or from othercauses, may be taken care of also whereby the load on said elements isequalized, thereby resulting in an equal and smooth upward pull on therods.

A particular object of the invention is to provide an improved pump jackincluding a walking beam having a cradle member aixed thereto, and ahead mounted onsaid cradle; the cradle and head having curved contactingsurfaces, whereby the head may be swung on the beam to vary the positionof the head with relation to the vertical axis of the beam.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved device ofthe character described, wherein the walking beam is mounted on astationary base with improved means for adjusting the beam on said base,whereby the beam may be positively alined vertically with the well rods.l

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafterdescribed, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of thefollowing specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings,in which an example of the invention is shown, and wherein: y

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a pump jack, constructed in accordancewith the invention,

Figure 2 is a transverse, vertical, sectional View taken on the line2--2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a vertical, sectional View taken on the line 3--3 of Figure2,

Figure 4 is a plan view of the base plate which supports the walkingbeam,

Figure 5 is an enlarged side elevation of the arcuate guide head,

Figure 6 is a front elevation thereof,

Figure 7 is a transverse, vertical, sectional View taken on the line'I--l of Figure 5,

Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the upper por tion of the guide head,with parts thereof in section,

Figure 9 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view taken on the line 9 9 ofFigure 8,

Figure 10 is a plan view of the guide head,

Figure 11 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation andviewing the upper portion of the guide head from the front thereof,

Figure 12 is a partial isometric view of the upper portion of the guidehead,

Figure 13 is an isometric View of the lifting wedge block, and

Figure 14 is a partial isometric View of one of the blocks whichreceives the upper end of the cable.

In the drawings, the numeral lil designates a base having upright,inclined legs I I. The lower ends of the legs are embedded in aconcrete, or other permanent foundation I2, and converge toward theirupper ends. A supporting plate I3 having depending anges which overlieand are secured to the upper ends ol' the legs has a pair of bearingcollars I4 mounted thereon. The collars I4 are spaced from each otherand a transverse pin or shaft I5 has its ends journaled in the collars.The collars are adjustably mounted on the plate and this mounting isclearly shown in Figures 2 to 4. Since each collar is mounted in anidentical manner, it is believed that a description of one will suffice.

Below each bearing collar I4, the plate is formed with a pair of slots Iwhich have a general rectangular shape and which are spaced from eachother. Each collar is provided with depending lugs Il which have a loosent within the slots, whereby the collar may move laterally on the plate.An elongate adjusting screw I8 is threaded through the flange of theplate and also through a flange I9 which is formed integral with theplate adjacent the opening I 5. The inner end of each screw extends intoits respective slot and engages the depending lug I'l of the collar I4.A suitable lock nut 2G is threaded onto each screw I8 adjacent theflange I9 and is employed to hold the screw in various adjustedpositions. With the above arrangement, it is manifest that the lugs I'Iof each collar are confined between the lateral screws and by properlyadjusting said screws, the collars may be moved laterally on thesupporting plate I2. For holding the collars in the positions to whichthey may be moved, bolts 2| extend through lateral base flanges I4 andalso through slots 22 provided in the plate I3 and these bolts receivenuts (not shown), whereby the collars may be frictionally clamped inposition on the plate. It is noted that the diameter of the bolts isless than the width of the slots to permit the lateral movement of thecollars on the plate.

An elongate I-beam 23 is mounted to swing on the base, being supportedon the transverse pin I5. The beam has a bearing collar 24 bolted to itsunderside at its central portion and the pivot pin I extends throughthis collar. The collar 24 is conned between the bearing collars I4(Figure 2) and, obviously, the beam 23 may swing on the pin. Anysuitable means may be employed for swinging the beam and a pitman 2 5and suitable reciprocating rods 25 have been shown (Figure 1); however,it is to be understood that a crank, or other means, may be used.

As the walking beam swings on the pin I5, the ends of the beam travel inan arcuate path and as is the usual practice, an arcuate segmentalmember or horsehead 26 is mounted on one end of the beam. The horseheadis connected to the pump rods A and serves to maintain a straightlinevertical movement of the rods as the beam swings. The mounting of themember or horsehead 26 is an important feature of the invention and asclearly shown in Figure 7, a supporting block or bearing plate 2'I iswelded, or other- Wise secured, on the upper flange 23 of the walkingbeam 23. The upper surface of the block is arcuate or curved.

The horsehead 26 includes a transverse base plate 28 which has itsunderside curved complementary to the curved surface of the block,whereby the horsehead may slide transversely on said block. Bolts 29pass through slots 30 in the base plate and extend through openings 3lin the block and flange 23'. Nuts 32 are screwed onto the lower ends ofthe bolts and, manifestly, when said nuts are tightened against theflange, the contacting surfaces of the base plate and block are tightlyengaged and a frictional clamping action which holds the plate inposition on the block is obtained. Suitable washers 29' are interposedbetween the upper surface of the base plate and the heads of the bolts23.

A pair of arcuate guide members or wings 33 are preferably made integralwith the base plate 23 and these members are spaced from each other soas to extend vertically on each side of thel beam 23 (Figure 6). Thearcuate wings are braced by suitable integral webs 34 and are disposedso that their major portion depends below the beam although a portionthereof extends upwardly from the plate 2B. The lower ends of the wingsare connected by an integral, transversely extending strap 35, whiletheir upper ends are connected by an angular strap 36. The strap isreinforced by a vertical, central web 3l which extends upwardly from theplate 28.

Each arcuate guide member or Wing 33 is formed with a longitudinalgroove 38 which extends throughout its entire length and the upper endof each wing is provided with an angular housing 39 which is preferablyintegral therewith. The housing or sockets are identical and as isclearly shown in Figures 10 and 12, each housing is formed with avertical slot 4! in its outer wall. The back wall of the housing isremoved and a transverse bar 4I which extends between the housings isbolted to lugs 42 extending outwardly from the side walls of thehousings. The bar is located at the upper end of the housings and notonly braces said housings but also acts to close the upper portion ofthe rear thereof.

An angular supporting block 43 is insertable Within each housing and hasa tapered or conical socket 44 formed in its central portion. A verticalslot 45 extends from the outer surface of the block to the socket andthis slot is alined with the slot 40 in the housing, whereby a cable Bis insertable into the block, as will be explained.

The base of each housing is extended rearwardly (Figure l2) to provide aflat surface 46 on which a wedge 4'I is movable. The wedge has a slot 48alined with the slots 4I) and 45 in the housing and block respectively,and the bottom of the block is inclined complementary to the inclinationof the wedge, whereby said block is supported on the wedge. Each blockis confined within its housing with the rear wall thereof engaging thetransverse bar 4I and, manifestly, when the wedge 4'I is movedlaterally, the block is raised and lowered in the housing.

For imparting movement to the wedges and for locking the same in variouspositions, the extended bottom 46 of each housing is provided with anupright flange 49 which flange is in substantial alinement with theflange of the angular connecting strap 36 which extends between theguide wings or members 33. Suitable vertical webs 50 which are acontinuation of the sides of the housing connect the housing and flange49 and also act to guide the wedge 41 in its movement. An adjustingscrew 5I is threaded through a collar 52 which is mounted in the flange49 and the inner end of the screw is rotatably conned in a socket 5&3provided in the wedge. When the screws 5I are rotated, the wedges 4l aremoved laterally of the housing and since the blocks 43 are supported onsaid wedges, a vertical movement is imparted to the blocks within thehousings 39, whereby the conical or tapered sockets 44 in said blocksare raised or lowered vsith relation to the guide wings or members Forconnecting the horsehead 26 with the well pump rods A, a pair offlexible elements 54, such as cables, are employed. Each cable isdisposed in the groove 38 of one of the guide wings 33 and the upper endof each cable has a tapered thimble secured thereto. The thimble isarranged to seat within the tapered seat 44 of the block 43 which islocated in the housing 39 at the upper end of the guide member and,thus, the cables 54 are individually suspended from the horsehead, eachcable extending downwardly through one of the grooves 38. The cables aretherefore spaced from each other and have their lower ends secured to across-head 53 which is fastened to the upper end of the pump rods A. Inthis manner, the rods which extend axially through the well tubing arefastened to the end of the walking beam and when said beam is swung, therods are reciprocated. By individually suspending the iiexibleconnecting elements, any variation in the length of the elements may betaken care of so as to equalize the loa-d onv the elements. For example,one of the cables may stretch and beV slightly longer than the other,which would result in an unequal strain on said cables and an unequalpull on the cross-head 55 and rods A. In such case, the wedges may bereadily adjusted by manipulating the wedges 41 through the medium of theadjusting screws 5l. The screws are readily accessible and may berotated with an ordinary wrench, which eliminates theA necessity ofemployingr special tools.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that a pumping jack is providedwhich is readily adjustable to compensate for all conditions, wherebyexact alinement with the well rodsY may be obtained. In the event thatthe foundation and base are set slightly out of alinement with the pumprods A, the adjusting screws I8 may be manipulated to move the beam 23laterally on the base so that its longitudinal axis is alined with therods in a vertical plane. It has been found that even though the beam isproperly alined with the rods A, a misalinement of the rods andhorsehead 25 may occur. Such misalinement may be due to irregularitiesor imperfections, occurring during manufacture, in the ange 23' of thebeam, which irregularities pre- :V

, be moved transversely of the beam, whereby the guide wings or members33 may be vertically alined with the rods. After the adjustment is made,the bolts are tightened, which clamps the head rmly in position on thebeam. After the foregoing adjustments have been made and the head 26 isin perfect alinement with the rod, the cables 54 are mounted on thehead. These cables are insertable through the slots 49, and

48 in the housings 39, blocks 43 and wedges 41,

respectively, and the thimbles 55 at the upper ends of said cables areplaced in the sockets 44 of the blocks, after which the Wedges areadjusted so that the cables are of exactly the same f length, whereby anequal load is placed on said cables during the pumping operation. Withthe various adjustments, all conditions may be compensated for and atrue vertical lift on the rods obtained. This not only increases thepumping efficiency but reduces wear on the rods, packing and other partsof the pumping equipment. The adjustments are quickly and easily made asthe various adjusting screws are readily accessible and no special toolsare required.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory thereof andvarious changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in thedetails of the illustrated construction may be made, within the scope ofthe appended claims, Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters l porting surface which isengaged by the arcuate segment for supporting said segment, means foradjustably mounting the segment on the supporting member, whereby thesegment may be moved to various positions transversely of the beam. tocompensate for variations in the beam and to vertically aline thesegment with the pump rodsof a well, means for fastening the segment ina desired adjusted position, and means for connecting the pump rods tothe segment, whereby swinging of the beam and segment reciprocates therods.

2. A pumping jack including, a pivoted beam, a support fastened to oneend of the beam, an arcuate segment mounted on the support and capableof lateral swinging movement thereto, means for adjustably mounting thesegment on the support whereby the segment may be moved to variouspositions transversely of the beam to compensate for variations in thebeam and to vertically aline the segment with the pump rods of a well,means for fastening the segment in any adjusted position, and flexibleelements overlying the segment and connecting the segment with the pumprods, said elements being individually fastened to the segment.

3. A pumping jack including, a pivoted beam, an arcuate segment mountedon the beam and arranged to be secured in various positions in a`vertical plane, a pair of flexible connections,

means for adjustably fastening one end of each connection to the segmentwhereby the connections overlie the segment, and means for attaching theother ends of the connections to the pump rods of a well, the mountingof the segment on the beam making it possible to vertically aline thesegment with the rods irrespective of the irregularities in the beam androds and to fasten said segment in such alined position.

4. A pumping jack including, a pivoted beam, a supporting block securedto one end of the beam and having its upper surface curved transverselyof the beam, an arcuate segment having a supporting element which iscurved complementary to the curvature of the plate, whereby the segmentmay be swung on the beam in a plane at a right angle to the longitudinalaxis of the beam, and means for fastening the segment in any one of itsadjusted positions on the plate.

5. A pumping jack including, a pivoted beam, a supporting block securedto one end of the beam and having its upper surface curved transverselyof the beam, an arcuate segment having a supporting element which iscurved complementary to the curvature of the plate, whereby the segmentmay be swung on the beam in a plane at a right angle to the longitudinalaxis of the beam, means for fastening the segment in any one of itsadjusted positions on the plate, and a pair ofv flexible elementssecured to the segment and having their lower ends arranged to befastened to the pump rods of a well, whereby said rods are connected tothe beam and reciprocated thereby.

6. A pumping jack including, a pivoted beam, a supporting block securedto one end of the beam and having its upper surface curved transverselyof the beam, an arcuate segment having a supporting element which iscurved complementary to the curvature of the plate, whereby the segmentlmay be swung on the beam in a plane at a right angle to the longitudinalaxis of th'e beam, means for fastening the segment in any one of itsadjusted positions on the plate, a pair of flexible elements secured tothe segment and having their lower ends arranged to be fastened to thepump rods of a well, whereby said rods are connected to the beam andreciprocated thereby, and means for individually adjusting the flexibleelements with relation to the segment to equalize the load thereon.

7. A pumping jack including, a support, a mounting secured on saidsupport and movable to various lateral positions thereon, means forholding said mounting in its various positions, a beam pivoted in themounting and arranged to swing on the support, a supporting blocksecured to one end of the beam and having its upper surface curvedtransversely of the beam, an arcuate segment having a supporting elementwhich is curved complementary to the curvature of the plate, whereby thesegment may be swung on the beam in a plane at a right angle to thelongitudinal axis of the beam, and means for fastening the segment inany one of its adjusted positions on the plate.

8. A pumping jack including, a support, a mounting secured on saidsupport and movable to various lateral positions thereon, means forholding said mounting in its various positions, a beam pivoted in themounting and arranged to swing on the support, a, supporting blocksecured to one end of the beam and having its upper surface curvedtransversely of th'e beam, an arcuate segment having a supportingelement which is curved complementary to the curvature of the plate,whereby the segment may be swung on the beam in a plane at a right angleto the longitudinal axis of the beam, means for fastening the segment inany one of its adjusted positions on the plate, and a pair of exibleelements secured to the segment and having their lower ends arranged tobe fastened to the pump rods of a well, whereby said rods are connectedto the beam and reciprocated thereby.

9. A pumping jack including, a support, a mounting secured on saidsupport and movable to various lateral positions thereon, means forholding said mounting in its various positions, a beam pivoted in themounting and arranged to swing on the support, a supporting blocksecured to one end of the beam and having its upper surface` curvedtransversely of the beam, an arcuate segment having a supporting elementwhich is curved complementary to 4the curvature of the plate, wherebythe segment may be swung on the beam in a plane at a right angle to thelongitudinal axis of the beam, means for fastening the segment in anyone of its adjusted positions on the plate, a pair of flexible elementssecured to the segment and having their lower ends arranged to befastened to the pump rods of a well, whereby said rods are connected tothe beam and reciprocated thereby, and means for individually adjustingthe flexible elements with relation to the segment to equalize the loadthereon.

10. A pumping jack including, a pivoted beam, a supporting block securedto one end of the beam and having its upper surface curved transverselyof the beam, and an arcuate segment having a transversely extendingsupporting element which element overlies the block and has itsunderside curved complementary to and engaging the curved surface ofsaid block, wh'ereby the segment is suspended from the beam and iscapable of being swung with relation to the beam and in a plane atsubstantially a right angle to the longitudinal axis oi the beam.

11. A pumping jack including, a pivoted beam, an arcuate segment mountedon one end of the beam and arranged to swing therewith, a pair offlexible elements overlying the segment, vertically movable means forfastening the upper` ends oi the elements to the segment, and laterallymovable means coacting with said fastening means for varying theposition of the elements relative to the segment to compensate fordierences in the length of said elements.

12. A pumping jack including, a pivoted beam, an arcuate segment mountedon one end of the beam and arranged to swing therewith, a pair of exibleelements overlying the segment, means for fastening the upper ends ofthe elements to the segment, and a movable wedge block associated withthe fastening means for each element for moving said means relative tothe segment, whereby the position of the elements on the segment may bevaried.

13. A pumping jack including, a pivoted beam, an arcuate segment mountedon one end of the beam and arranged to swing therewith, the segmenthaving a pair of spaced sockets in its upper end, a pair of flexibleelements overlying the segment, supporting means secured to th'e upperend y of the elements and movable within the sockets for suspending theelements from the segment, and a movable wedge block associated with thefastening means for each element for moving said means within its socketto change the relative position of the element on the segment.

14. A pumping jack including, a pivoted beam, an arcuate segment mountedon one end of the beam and arranged to swing therewith, the segmenthaving a pair of spaced sockets in its upper end, a pair of iiexibleelements overlying the segment, supporting means secured to the upperend of the elements and movable within the sockets for suspending theelements from the segment, a movable wedge block associated with thefastening means for each element for moving said means within its socketto change the relative position of the element on the segment, and meansfor maintaining the wedge blocks in various adjusted positions.

VICTOR E. BAUM.

